Improvement in strap-couplings



T. BUGSWELL. Strap-Gouplings.

N0. '1 44,957, Patented Nov.25,1873.

m z'bnesss. J71 Van-20K UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

THOMAS COGSVVELL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN STRAP-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,957, dated N v1373; pp icatio l September 25, 1873.

J practice it.

The invention relates to a new method of connecting straps either torings or buckles,

or to other straps or devices, the particular purpose being to avoid thepresence of strapends and buckles.

In my invention I use a metal strip doubled midway of its length, andhaving fixed to one part a projecting pin that extends through theleather strap, and through an eye in the other part, a swinging haspcatching into the protruding end of the pin and locking the partstogether; andin connection with this metal strip or coupler I use asliding leather loop or sheath, that, slipping over the coupler,conceals the mechanism thereof, and holds the parts in place. Myinvention consists in this method of connecting straps with harnessringsor other devices.

The drawing represents aconstruction en]- bodying my invention. Figure 1shows the parts in connected position. Fig. 2 shows the leather sheathas drawn back from the metal coupler. Fig. 3 shows the coupler and strapin edge view. Fig. 4 is a view of the coupler detached.

a denotes a leather strap, to be connected to aring, b, with which otherstraps may be connectedas, for instance, the hip-straps of a harness-orwith any other device. In this strap are punched holes 0, and to or bymeans of either one of these holes the metal coupler d may be attached.This coupler is a long narrow strip of metal, folded at its center, asseen at e, and having at one end a pin, f, which extends through theholes 0, and through an eye, g, in the other end of the coupler. The endof the pin projects through the eye, and is slotted at opposite sides,as seen at h, and into these slots enters a slotted hasp, i, pivotedupon a pin, it, the pin extending through a slot, I, that enables thehasp to yield. When the hasp is swung back the two ends of the couplerseparate, as seen in Fig. 4; and when brought together they are held,not only by the hasp, but also by the sliding sheath m. This sheath ispreferably made of leather, and to fit closely over the coupler andstrap. It maybe held in place by a spring, but is preferably held by itsown frictional contact.

By means of the several holes 0 the strap maybe lengthened or shortened;but, when no adjustment of length is desirable, one hole, 0, in thestrap will suffice.

The construction of the coupler may be more or less modified, but aconstruction substantially as shown is What I now prefer.

I have described the coupler as made of metal. It may, however, be madeof leather, but I consider metal to be the preferable material.

I claim- 1. The coupler d, having its parts which embrace the strapconnected by the pin f and hasp 'i, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. In combination with the coupler, the sheath m substantially as shownand described.

THOS. OOGSWELL.

WVitnesses:

FRANoIs GOULD, M. W. FROTHINGHAM.

